The founders of a cutting-edge life sciences business with headquarters in Cardiff are pioneering global techniques for quicker, more effective testing of hair samples for evidence of drug and alcohol misuse, after accompanying the Prime Minister on his September trade mission to Brazil.

Set up by John Wicks and Lolita Tsanaclis, Cansford Laboratories recently expanded with the establishment of a sister laboratory, Chromatox Limitada, in Brazil earlier this year. As part of the recent trade mission, the UK’s Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts, led a visit to the Chromatox lab.

The delegation, which also included members of the British Embassy and Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, was given a guided tour of the facilities and a detailed explanation of the existing and potential benefits of hair testing and its various applications at the new Brazil laboratory.

Cansford Laboratories’ co-founder Dr Lolita Tsanaclis said: "As a Brazilian who has lived in the UK for over 25 years, it was a privilege to be representing Wales and the UK on this trade mission. Chromatox is quickly following in the footsteps of Cansford and making a real name for itself in South America. We were delighted to demonstrate to both the British and Brazilian Governments that successful co-operation between the two countries is in full swing."

The Brazilian economy is now the sixth largest in the world, ahead of India and Russia, and the UK is currently building on its exports to Brazil, aiming to double these to £4 billion per year by 2015.

"It’s great to see Cansford play its part in this," said Dr Mark Bowman, Director of Innovation at Cardiff Medicentre. "From day one we had very high hopes for the business which has, in John Wicks and Lolita Tsanaclis, two very experienced and driven leaders. They are a shining example of what business incubation is all about."

Wicks and Tsanaclis launched Cansford Laboratories last year after developing the concept of testing human hair to assess drug use in people. Testing hair samples is the ideal method for assessing the effects of drug addiction as it provides information on drug use over a long period.

The pair previously founded Cardiff-based TrichoTech which they sold for £11million in 2007. The addition of Chromatox Limitada is expected to increase the group company’s turnover from the testing market by around 50 per cent.

Dr Tsanaclis said: "There is big demand out there for the services we’re offering. We are thrilled to have transferred the technology and to be taking our businesses – founded in Wales and supported by the superb incubation facility, Cardiff Medicentre – onto the global stage."

For more information about the Prime Minister’s visit to Brazil, please see: http://www.ukti.gov.uk/uktihome/media/news/381000.html

About Cansford LaboratoriesPlease visit www.cansfordlabs.co.uk
About Cardiff MedicentreCardiff Medicentre is a dedicated incubator for biotech and medtech startups. The facility is set in the grounds of the University of Wales Hospital and is a neighbour to Cardiff University’s School of Medicine.

Established in 1992, Cardiff Medicentre is a joint venture between Cardiff Council, Cardiff University, the Welsh Government and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board. It was the first incubator of its kind in the UK and now provides 32 units of high quality office and lab space accommodation ranging from 284 sq ft to 1,045 sq ft. Low-cost desk leasing facilities are also available to encourage entrepreneurs to enter the Cardiff Medicentre community while writing business plans and raising finance.

Tenants at Cardiff Medicentre benefit from specialist support in establishing and growing their businesses. Their aim, and the aim of the Cardiff Medicentre management team, is graduation – the process of tenant businesses outgrowing the incubation facilities and moving into their own follow-on space, or being acquired.

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